Cedrus deodara

• Type: Deodar cedar
• Latin name: Cedrus deodara
• Pot: 9 cm
• Light: sunny
• Winter hardiness: USDA 7–9 (not hardy outdoors in Estonia – grow in a container)

Planting Grow it in Estonia in a container (filled with a free-draining mix containing sand or perlite) in a sunny, sheltered spot; it suits the open ground only in the warmest, most sheltered parts of Estonia, and even there winter damage is a risk. If planting in the ground, choose well-drained soil and space plants 3–4 m apart.

Watering Water a young plant regularly for the first two years and more often in dry spells; an established plant is fairly drought-tolerant. Mulch the soil with bark or wood chips and give a last watering in autumn before the ground freezes.

Pruning Little pruning is needed: in spring remove dead and damaged branches and shorten overgrown shoots if you wish, but do not cut into old wood – it will not regrow.

Feeding and winter care Feed in spring with a conifer fertiliser (not after July); give no nitrogen in autumn so the shoots can ripen before winter. Deodar cedar cannot take an Estonian winter: keep it in a container and overwinter it in a bright, cool (0–10 °C) frost-free room; water sparingly in winter but never let the root ball dry out completely. In summer stand it in a sunny, sheltered place.